CELEBRATING | LIFE | LWANGA

MUKONO - The Most Rev. Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the former Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luweero and later Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, is still remembered with great admiration for his steadfast commitment to the Catholic faith and the holistic development of its members. 

Further to upholding the authentic teaching and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, he also spearheaded many socio-economic development projects that elevated many Ugandans from poverty.

The late Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga

But Lwanga also had one unique attribute which certainly many people did don’t know. 

He was an ardent promoter of indigenous African culture, which he also always harmonized with Christianity. 

Catholic clerics led by Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere lead prayers at the family cemetery of Archbishop Lwanga during the celebration of his last funeral rites. (All Photos by Mathias Mazinga)

As a member of the Mamba (lungfish) clan of the Baganda, Lwanga always attended the clan’s meetings. 

He also lavished moral and financial support towards the clan’s activities. 

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, eulogises Archbishop Lwanga during the latter's last funeral rites.

Lwanga demonstrated his love for his native culture in even more practical terms when he agreed to become the heir of his father (the late Joseph Wamala), a role he played with great commitment until his demise on April 3, 2021.

The Buganda cultural leaders, the Mamba clan leaders in particular, were fully aware of the enormous role that Archbishop Lwanga played towards the development and preservation of indigenous Ugandan/African culture and his support for the general concept of inculturation, that is, the Africanization of the Christian faith.

The Bishop of Lugazi, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza delivers his thanksgovong speech.

So, during the celebration of his last funeral rites at his parental home at Kyabakadde (in Mukono district), leaders of the Mamba clan gave Lwanga special recognition and honor (posthumously).

They gave him a meritorious certificate of appreciation and a number of other awards, which they said, will be kept in the Buganda kingdom museum in honour/memory of the prelate.

Prince David Wassajja delivers the message of gratitude from the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

The presence of the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, Prince David Wassajja and other dignitaries from the Kingdom of Buganda confirmed the enormous contribution of Archbishop Lwanga to the preservation of the Ganda culture. 

The performance of Catholic religious rites alongside the Ganda cultural rites also reaffirmed the Prelate’s commitment to the Africanization of Christianity.

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Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (holding a host) celebrates the thanksgiving mass for the celebration of Archbishop Lwanga's last funeral rites.

A spectacle of Catholic priests celebrating the thanksgiving mass for the last funeral rites of Archbishop Lwanga.

Archbishop Lwanga's siblings, Justin Mayanja and Rose Lukwago receive from Prince David Wassajja (right) the meritorious certificate of appreciation that the Kingdom of Buganda gave their late brother.

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga signs on one of the accolades that the leaders of the Mamba Clan gave the late Archbishop Lwanga.

The meritorious certificate of appreciation that the leaders of the Mamba Clan gave the late Archbishop Lwanga.

Archbishop Lwanga's family members led by his brother Joseph Ndiwalana (2nd left) wait to receive their brothers and sons in-law.

A spectacle of some of the gifts that Archbishop Lwanga's brothers in-law brought.